Prior to taking a standard free skate test,
the test candidate must have taken
and passed the same level of the standard Moves in the Field
test. Skaters may pass as many levels of the standard Moves in
the Field
test (up through and including Senior) without taking any Free Skating
Test. The Free Skating test level will be used to determine the
competitive free skating event the skater may enter.

Skaters need to be aware that required test
elements differ from the minimum requirements for competition events.

Skaters must know and understand the nuances of the
required elements when a decision is made to incorporate competitive
elements into the
choreography of their free skating test program.

There are strategies that involve what optional jump
and spin elements will pass in a test. When attempting to exceed the
requirements, a skater risks a fall that is difficult to recover from
and the skater fails to satisfactorily accomplish the mandatory test
elements.

The program requirements specify what type of jumps
and spins are are required to pass a test. A double Lutz is more
difficult
than a double flip, but skaters are not allowed to substitute one for
the other when a specific jump is required.

Individual jumps must be performed as individual
jumps and will not receive credit because they were performed as a part
of a combination or sequence.

Many skaters wait until later in the season to test
and then they risk confusion when they test because the free skating
program they have been practicing the most has been choreographed with
much more demanding elements for competition. Only 2 elements that have
been poorly performed or not attempted may be reskated.

The problem with Flip and Lutz jumps is that they
have a greater
chance of being downgraded because of the wrong edge and/or under
rotation.

There is no automatic penalty in free skating tests
for falling, but judges will factor into their final mark if a skater
puts a hand or foot down and fails to
complete the full number of revolutions of a jump or spin.

Free
Skating
Competition Requirements

The Preliminary
through Senior competition events require free skating programs to be
skated - each with
separate rules, restrictions, and requirements.

Once you pass a test for a specific level you
cannot
compete below that
level. The important thing to understand is that the test for a level
is usually much easier that the rules for competition allow while
competitive skaters that consistently win are able to perform multi
revolution jumps.

You can always skate up a level in most "Open"
nonqualifing competitions, but you
can never skate down a level. Your coach should be able to
guide you with this decision.

You should plan to test on a regular
schedule even if you are not going to compete!
Completing all the elements in MITF and Free Skating tests is
difficult. If you pass all the levels you will be recognized for
your accomplishment with a gold medal.

Some skaters will complete the
test track for multiple disciplines in figure skating, freestyle,
dance,
and moves. Achieving triple gold medals is a significant achievement
that makes an excellent addition to your resume for a college or job
application.

Resources:

The following internet
links have been
gleaned from personal communications combined
with
information from
public institutions and athletic
organizations/associations
that
have a web presence with information concerning team
and individual
sports
programs: